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Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1980))

Abstract

Accurately determining protein content is important in the valorization of algal biomass in food, feed, and fuel markets, where these values are used for component balance calculations. Conversion of elemental nitrogen to protein is a well-accepted and widely practiced method, but depends on developing an applicable nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor. The methodology reported here covers the quantitative assessment of the total nitrogen content of algal biomass and a description of the methodology that underpins the accurate de novo calculation of a dedicated nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308 with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Funding provided by U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office. The U.S. Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the U.S. Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this work, or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes.

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Correspondence to L. M. L. Laurens .

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Laurens, L.M.L., Olstad, J.L., Templeton, D.W. (2018). Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor. In: Spilling, K. (eds) Biofuels from Algae. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1980. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/7651_2018_126

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/7651_2018_126

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9415-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9416-8

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